A Life of Style Mascara Review: Exceptionnel De Chanel Intense Volume & Curl

Last month I signed up to be a part of Allure Experts Reader Panel. Of course I'm overly excited about the opportunity to test products and give my feedback. The first item I received was Exceptionnel De Chanel Intense Volume and Curl Mascara. I curled my lashes this morning and began applying this luxury mascara. I haven't used a Chanel mascara in over five years...mainly because what I pay for one tube of high end mascara I can buy two lipglosses from MAC, Clinique, or Philosophy.

Honestly I can't say I'm loving the Exceptionnel De Chanel. My lashes have no volume and the curl is hardly worth mentioning. I got MUCH better results from Maybelline Colossal Volum Express. :(

This mascara is $28 plus tax and it fell way short of giving me extravagantly, lush, sexy lashes. I say save your $28+ for gas money, a latte, and a less costly mascara.

A Life of Style Fragrance Review: Intimately Beckham for Her

Intimately Beckham for Her has been on my fragrance list for a while. I adore Victoria Beckham, she's one of my style icons. As fabulous as her style is, I knew her perfume would not disappoint.

This is a very sexy scent with great dry down that lasts. I hate fragrances that fade after a few hours. Quite a few guys have told me that I smell good when I'm wearing IBFH and that's always nice to hear ;)

Intimately Beckham for Her has notes of white flowers, bergamot, rose petals, Casablanca lily, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, sandalwood and musk. I'm going to get the lotion soon so that I can really layer the scent. I purchased a 1.7 oz IBFH at Target for $34.99. There's a two piece gift set sold on Target's website for $29.99

If you're on the fence about trying IBFH, Walgreens has a sampler vial for .99, ask the beauty consultant if you don't see the small display. I got one for a fragrance shy friend, unfortunately she's got terrible allergies so her and IBFH were not a match made in smell pretty heaven :(

In conclusion, this is winner for A Life of Style =)

Fashion Week Spotlight: Tory Burch

Tory Burch is fast becoming one of my favorite designers. I love how she mixes and colors and adds quirky accessories. Ever since she came on the scene with those way too chic tunics a few years ago, I have been stalking her designs.


Here are my favorite looks from her Spring 2009 show which took place yesterday:

This collection was inspired by gardens in Italy, France, and Marrakesh.

Looking at this collection has inspired me to take a chance with my fashion and learn to mix patterns.

Fashion Week

Here are a few of my favorite looks so far from Fashion Week:

Marc Jacobs
Tracy Reese
Tracy Reese













Malandrino













I'll post more of my favorites looks over the next few days.

A Life of Style: My Fall 2008 Beauty, Entertainment, and Fashion List

Items marked ** are products that I would love to purchase but due to the economy…they are so not in my budget. Damn this recession=(

Beauty
L’Orѐal Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate

L’Orѐal Skin Genesis Eye Serum

Tarte Eye Couture Eye Palette**


Pink Clarisonic Skincare Brush**

Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For**


MAC Cult of Cherry: Tempting Palette, Spiced Chocolate Palette,**

Lavanilla Body Wash in Vanilla Grapefruit and Vanilla Blossom

Philosophy Amazing Grace Perfume Oil

Agent Provocateur Perfume

Sephora by OPI Nail Lacquer:
- On Stage
- Meet for Drinks
- Caffeine Fix
- Brunette on the Internet
- Metro Chic

Viva La Juicy Perfume

Carol’s Daughter Sweet Honey Dip Chocolate Brown Sugah Scrub

Carol’s Daughter Khoret Amen Hair Oil

Coach Legacy Perfume

Coach Bleecker Signature Denim w/patent capacity wristlet**

Entertainment
Books: Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag by Michael Tonello, The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia, and Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You by Simon Doonan.

Music: Brandy “Human”, Sabrina Malheiros “New Morning", Hil St. Soul “Black Rose”, Jennifer Hudson, Morgan Page “Elevate”,

DVDs: 27 Dresses, Singles, Sex & the City DVD & part 2 of the SATC soundtrack, Mad Men Season One, Sex and the City: The Complete Series, House Party (yeah…a serious throwback, lol), and Diva.

Fashion
2 more pairs of Old Navy Diva jeans, dark rinse denim jacket, black cashmere hoodie, boyfriend cardigan, ruffled blouses, tie neck blouses, Uggs Elsey boots, more ballet flats, scarves, Gap long sleeve favorite tee, trouser cords from J. Crew, and a leather blazer.


Have you made a fall shopping list? I'd love to know what's on it. Feel free to share in the comments section =)

Little Black Dress...Wines

I went to the grocery store Saturday afternoon and after I had all the items on my list, I wandered around the store to see what else would catch my eye. I spotted Little Black Dress Wines and thought they were too cute. I chose the Pinot Grigio. I'm a white wine and chardonnay girl. Red wines give me the worst headaches so I steer clear of them. But I digress, when I got home I hopped online to get more information on LBD Wines. It was a brave move on my part to purchase a wine I've never tasted before but as usual I was swayed by savvy marketing and packaging, lol.

I haven't cracked my wine open yet but I promise when I do I'll tell you guys all about it ;)

Pictures courtesy of:

http://www.littleblackdresswines.com

A Life of Style: Personal Cards

A few weeks ago my friend met a guy while she was in Barnes & Noble. They had a really nice chat and when it came time to exchange phone numbers, she ripped a half sheet of paper from her notebook to write her name and number on. She was excited to get to know him better and was sure he would call within a day or two.

Well he didn't make the first call, she had to call him. He informed her that he was glad she called because he misplaced the paper her number was written on. I told her if she had some cute personal cards like yours truly...he probably wouldn't have lost her number.

Do you know how much random paper you can collect in a day???? Do yourself a favor and make some eye catching personal cards. I only use my business cards for professional events. I never feel comfortable giving a potential suitor my work information right in the beginning.

This is where a personal card comes in handy.

I just have mine printed with my first name, mobile number, and email address. If the guy turns out to be a dud or worse (a stalker), I can easily block his email address and phone number.

**I created the sample shown at VistaPrint.

A Life of Style Product Review: Maybelline Shadow Stylist in Casual Brown

Maybelline Shadow Stylist in Casual Brown has taken up residence inside my makeup bag for well over a year. This is a great everyday eye shadow. The color is gorgeous with just a hint of shimmer.

On those mornings when you're a little pressed for time Shadow Stylist is perfect - quick to apply and blend.

A Life of Style: August Product Haul

August was a great month for me in beauty and product purchases. Here's my haul...reviews forthcoming in later blog posts.

• Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps Acrylic
• Too Faced Cosmetics E/S - Sitcom Siren
• Cover Girl Wetslicks Amazemint - No Care Bear and Happy Hour (thanks to Jamie for the Happy Hour)
• Nivea Natural Tone Lotion
• L'Oreal HIP E/S Duos - Cheeky, Showy, Spirited, Gilded
• L'Oreal HIP Cream Shadow Paint - Nervy
• L'Oreal HIP Shine Struck Liquid Lipcolor -Spirited
• Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation
• Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil Powder
• Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Kohl E/L - Dark Brown, Navy, and Plum
• Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara (I just bought this because it was so cute in the package --haven't used it yet)
• Intimately Beckham for Her

A Life of Style Hearts Sabon Loofah Soap

Yesterday after lunch I stopped in Sabon in North Bridge Mall. I needed another bar of Loofah Soap. Sabon's Loofah Soap is AWESOME!!!! It's the best of both worlds in one round bar because you get bits of loofah and a high quality skin softening soap.

I use the loofah soap mainly in the winter but decided to start using it year round earlier this year. It does wonders on my back and legs. My favorite scents are Amber and Lychee. I hope they add a Cocoa Butter version soon.

After using the loofah soap, I find that my skins absorbs body creams and lotions very well and my skin stays moisturized throughout the day.

If you're looking for some great new bath products check out Sabon. The Mineral Powder is the ultimate in bath luxury.

pictured Sabon Loofah Soap in Amber

A Life of Style Product Review: Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

I purchased The Colossal Volum' Express mascara from CVS on Monday and I've been testing it out all this week.

This is a WINNER in my book. It gave me lots of volume, doesn't irritate my eyes, hasn't flaked, and best of all NO CLUMPS. The brush is pretty big which I like and I have no problems getting all my lashes with 2 to 3 coats. I wanted this mascara in Glam Black but they were all out so I got Classic Black which seems plenty dark to me. I curl my lashes before applying and I love the volume I get as a result. Colossal Volum' has replaced both my favorite Cover Girl mascaras, Lash Exact and Volume Exact, both of them irritate my eyes something terrible :(

And another major plus about Colossal is that my lashes aren't left hard. I hate mascaras that make your lashes hard and bristle like.

Colossal Volum' was on sale at CVS this week for $4.99 with an instant saving of $2.00 with your Extra Care card and I had a $1.00 Extra Buck coupon so I paid $2.19 with tax. That's my type of beauty buy ;)

Have you tried Colossal Volum'? What did you think of it?

Pleasure Principle by Janet Jackson

How excited am I that my all time favorite entertainer is launching a lingerie line? VERY EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pleasure Principle (which is one of my all time favorite Janet songs) will be in stores later this year or early next year.

source & picture WWD & NY Mag

A Life of Style Product Review: Sally Hansen Natural Butter Lip Shine in Fresh

Can you believe I left the house without lip gloss yesterday? I am as shocked as you all are.

I left my lip gloss on the sink after putting it on, totally forgetting to put it in my makeup bag. When I got to work and reached into my bag I had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Yes. It is that serious.

Thank the Beauty Gods there's a CVS in the lobby of my office building. I was just looking for something to get me through the day so I grabbed a tube of Sally Hansen Natural Butter Lip Shine in Fresh. I had no expectations or prior knowledge of this product at all. I had a $4 Extra Care bucks coupon and the gloss was $5.99, with tax I paid $2.16 and left CVS glossy and happy =)

When I applied it, I was pleasantly surprised. It's super shiny and not sticky. It feels really nice on my lips too. Although Fresh looks pale pink in the tube, it goes on slightly sheer. I think this is a great gloss to keep in your purse at all times.

A Life of Style: Kohl's 2008 Back-to-School Campaign Contest Winner!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to Miss Melinda L. who correctly answered the trivia question:

What was the name of Lenny Kravtiz's debut album?

****Let Love Rule***

Melinda your $50 Kohl's Gift Card is on it's way. Have fun back-to-school shopping with your daughter and thanks for reading my blog =)